Quilting Begins

It is that time again.  Time for Tarin and Raegan to begin their world of sewing.  I wanted them to make something for their beds.  Found some great fabric, and a simple block quilt design...and here we go...

Raegan likes the orangish reds and Tarin loves the blues.  Perfect!

I bought these as quarters, so a little prep work was needed.  But they are excited to begin and create. 

Tarin is my iron queen.

Silver Lake Res.

Jarom needed some more hours for his Citizen in the Nation Merit Badge, so we took a picnic up to Silver Lake Resuvior and some garbage bags.  Enjoyed a lunch around this beautiful lake, then took off around the lake to collect trash left by others.  We found so much junk, you wouldn't believe the things we found... it was good to make a difference. 

Some great adventures

Sister power!

Brother bonding

 altogether

this event has significance.  Last year we hiked all the way up to the natural Silver Lake and Ammon chose to strip down to his undies and jumped in off a rock a few feet into the lake.  Remember this is glacial water...stinkin' cold!  This year, I thought I'd remind him about his bravery and see if he'd keep the tradition going.  He DID, he stripped down and got in.  He almost didn't go under, but HE DID!  Wish I could upload the video, it was awesome!  He was so cute!!

More Swimming

We made many trips to Legacy Rec Center for swimming.  We love inviting friends and having fun.  

 Ammon invited Baylie Lewis, and Tarin invited Cadence Lewis (two different families but both in our neighborhood)

Yes, Ammon is showing off his dollar...the kids have discovered the concession stand...so this is a good opportunity to learn about using their own monies and when to save it.  Either way, lots of fun times here.

Clear Creek Camp

For 5th grade camp, the school sent them to the Alpine School District camp called Clear Creek.  She loved it so much (and so did I) that I knew she would love this experience in the summer.  We signed her up and she couldn't wait to go.

In preparation they had to paint a #10 can for their pot gut trap.  She worked long and hard on that decorating.  I love when she gets motivated to do her best.

 Finally the day came.  We met at an elementary school in Lindon and checked in.  When it was time to get on the buses, we both started to cry.  We were going to miss each other so so much.  First time (really) apart from each other for that long...5 days.  I worried for her hoping to make at least one friend, because she was going in blind, not knowing anyone.  Of all my kids, she's the one that does well at making friends right off.  

Luckily, the district isn't new to this program and knew parents would like a glimps into the camp.  There is no contact, so I was so excited to see the email filled with pictures of kids smiling and having fun.  Tarin was Orange group and seeing her arm and arm with another girls put my mind at ease...she is having fun.
Day1

 see her in the bottom right corner?  She's doing just fine.

Day2

I knew there was unseasonably cold weather coming, and even though it was June, I knew it could snow...learning from 5th grade camp where it snowed and not prepared, we were prepared this round.

This is what it looked like to us, snow capped mountains at 6K feet, so I knew where Tarin was (8K feet) that they definitely got something!

Yep, the daily email came (late due their limited internet interrupted from the storm) and this is what we saw...

 But luckily it didn't last long...
7am picture

by 11am it had all melted away...

...and their spirits were still high and lively...notice Tarin in blue sweater bottom right

Day 3

This email didn't capture Tarin, but it looks like fun games and campfire fun.

Day 4

Again full of wading through the creek learning about the sensitive ecosystem it holds, and visiting the cemetery there in Scofield learning about the mining accident back in the early 19th century.  No pictures of Tarin

Day 5

Tarin was in Pine Tree Inn Cabin...sadly, she must have been wondering around when they took this picture, so she didn't make it in...

 Group picture of all boys and girls and camp leaders

she made this picture...she is second row from the bottom and 8th from the left...

She had a marvelous time and recommends it to Raegan for next year.  I was so glad to see her get off the bus and give her a bug squeeze hug.  Love my girl and glad she is making fond memories.

"Family Of 4" Week

The week after Palmer Reunion, Trent was still out of town and Rian and Jarom were out of town with Gma and Gpa Wardwell in California.  That meant, I only had three children...weirdest week ever...

Ammon played his first "season" of t-ball.  Our neighbor, Dave McKenzie, was the coach.  Only eight showed up for pictures, but what a great looking team.

Top:  Coach McKenzie, Mason, David, Spencer, Corbin

Bottom: Canyon, Ammon, Macie, Bridger

Sunday was different...not so many "bored" kids around.  But we made the best fort ever!!  It stayed up ALL week long.

The sign for the front entrance to the fort was made by Raegan.  "Come now for Awesomness, at Awesomeness Store."  They each had their own "store" inside.

Ammon in his area, and Tarin had a pet shop...so even Liona had a place for her.

Also during the week...

Thankful to David Brown for helping us with installing sprinklers, we were ready for some grading...in preparation for hydroseed.  

The bobcat was busy, while I used some rocks to help retain our concrete.   Those were heavy rocks and a lot of work for my scrawny muscles.

Yep that is me raking the backyard.  THAT was a lot of work!  With all the pebble rocks and still bigger rocks, and doing the front yard making sure the dirt was packed enough for grass...I was so tired.  To top it off the neighbors were paying someone to do their yard...I was jealous and felt like a lonely fool...either way, I got it done just in time for curbing and seeding.

Curbing went in making the yard look more and more finished.

BEFORE...

Hydroseed is sprayed on...


AFTER...

backyard

front yard

several weeks of watering around the clock and we should have grass.

As if my week wasn't busy enough, I have been watching the neighbor kids when their mom goes to work.  Natalie Prazak was in Ammon's kindergarden class, Eric Prazak was in Jarom's classes (Jarom was in California) and Ryan Prazak was in Raegan's 4th grade class.  So we are all familiar with each other.  I took them all to Legacy Recreation Center to go swimming.  I didn't realize it didn't open until 1pm so we went and got some ice cream.

 Natalie and Ammon

Palmer Reunion 2014

 My parents did a great job with this reunion.  First off, it was in Utah, closer to those living here.  Secondly, it was full of great things to do for the kids.  Older kids stayed busy and the younger ones were always finding things to do.  Although there was a bit of wifi the kids rarely looked at their devices, which made me happy.  Trent was away on business travel to South Carolina for two weeks, so he missed this gem of an opportunity to see our kids having a blast.  They missed him desperately, but loved being with cousins.

Aside from my oldest brother Scott missing...these are my siblings. 

Altogether... Missing Shanda's 4, and Scott, Brooke (mission), Riley, and Trent

Here is a picture of all the grandkids with my parents.  

There was a pond they all loved getting into.  It was small, but nothing is too small for kids.  Ammon practically lived at the pond all week.

 Tarin, Tatum, Jarom and Ammon

Tatum's turn on the rope swing...notice Ammon...yep the water was cold, but that never stopped any of them

Ammon's turn

Raegan

       

Ammon had his many chances to ride the horses.  He loved this and couldn't get enough of it!

Kids loved petting and feeding the animals...

Many opportunities to ride the trails with the horses

 Jarom

 Raegan in front of me, then Tana, then Jarom, then Tarin... lots of Palmers

Braden, Tony, Dan, Ben, Karen, Haley, and Jeff behind me

 Seriously, it is so beautiful out in southern Utah (Antimony, Ut)...pictures don't do this place justice

Rian,     Raegan,       Tarin

Line Dancing practice

Heather has the moves...

Love the hayrides...

Hayrides through the town of Antimony and serenaded by the cowgirl.

Shanda, Jared, and Alice

Rodeo

Not everyone had arrived, but this is where we watched the events.

Tarin did the pole weaving event (that's not what its called)

Jarom did it too, and came in first place for his time.

Raegan did the barrel racing.  She came in third...

other events were donkey relay, riding the cafe...just a lot of fun with each other.

South Ranch we got dirty and did plenty more...

Grandpa trying his hand in tomahawk throwing... Ammon trying the same.

Leather work, dream catcher making and bracelets.  Ammon liked the wobbly bridge to get over to the repelling.  Sadly, the line was too long to repel and I wanted to do the clay pigeons, but my eyeballs were necessary around this little guy...

Last night at the ranch we roasted marshies...loads of messes, but worth the fun.

Rian didn't want to join the photo...but they are all smiling and wishing the week wouldn't end.

A great start to our summer.  Love and miss my family.